Woman dead after scuba diving incident at White Star Park

In an unrelated incident, another woman was taken to hospital

6/19/2017
BY ALLISON REAMER
BLADE STAFF WRITER

GIBSONBURG – One woman died while scuba diving and another was taken to the hospital for treatment following separate incidents over the weekend at White Star Park.

Mary Wolf, 58, of Powell, Ohio, was pronounced deceased at the scene by officials, according to White Star Park Director Andrew Brown. The incident was reported at approximately 2 p.m. Saturday. 

It appears Ms. Wolf was scuba diving by herself on Saturday in the quarry, Mr. Brown said. 

“We had someone getting ready to go diving in the water and noticed she was floating in the water,” Mr. Brown said. “He immediately knew something was wrong and grabbed her and yelled for help and started life-saving techniques.”

The man who pulled Ms. Wolf from the water was not immediately known. He did not know Ms. Wolf. 

“Our deepest sympathies go out to the family,” Mr. Brown said. “It’s terrible what they’re going through right now.”

An autopsy is pending for Ms. Wolf at the Lucas County Coroner’s Office.

A person died in 2016 at the park while scuba diving, Mr. Brown said. Specific details of that incident were not immediately known.

On Sunday, a Strongsville, Ohio woman was taken to ProMedica Toledo Hospital Sunday after she got water in her lungs and struggled to breathe, officials said.

Annmarie LaPorta, 55, was diving in the quarry with another person when her diving partner indicated their oxygen was running low and they should surface.

Ms. LaPorta took in water, which may be contributed to her surfacing and trying to get oxygen, Mr. Brown said.

The incident was reported at approximately noon Sunday. 

The woman was conscious and breathing when emergency crews arrived, according to the park director.

Her condition was not immediately known.

The Sandusky County Park District continues to investigate the incidents.

Contact Allison Reamer at: areamer@theblade.com, 419-724-6506, or on Twitter @AllisonRBlade.